Inspirational without being manipulative, G-rated without coming off sanitized, this biopic tells the true story of high-school-teacher-turned-major-league-pitcher Jim Morris and needs no phony Hollywood embellishment to give it dramatic power and a feel-good finish. It's not the grandiose "Pride of the Yankees" nor the melodramatic "Fear Strikes Out," but "The Rookie" is a real winner. As Morris, Dennis Quaid strikes just the right balance between the honorable mien of a stand-up guy and the insecurity of someone whose dreams have always seemed just out of reach. Jim had wanted a career in professional baseball, but his arm gave out. After surgery, and way past the age of 30, he was coaching a ragtag, underachieving high-school baseball team in his small Texas hometown when he realized that his fastball was better than ever. So he made a deal to inspire the boys: if they reached the league championships, he'd try out for a pro team. With a sincere Rachel Griffiths as Jim's lovin' wife.